Beast Wars Neo followed on directly where the previous year’s series, Beast Wars II, left off. The series received primarily all new molds, several of which were extremely creative and have yet to see the light of day outside of Japan. Shifting from the previous nature VS technology focus, this series cast the Cybertrons as mammals and the Destrons as dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The series was very poorly received, though, a pity considering how well some of the toys were designed.

Following on from the first 26 episodes of Beast Wars in Japan, Takara commissioned a fully cel-animated series to keep Transformers on the air while theywaited for more episodes of Beast Wars. The cast of the show utilised nearly all the toys from the first two years of Beast Wars that weren’t already in the show and hadn’t already been released in Japan (as Takara’s initial Beast Wars waves had a few extra toys like Insecticon). And this was just for the Cybertron side! The ranks of the evil Destrons were made up mostly of Generation 2 repaints, with some new toys and a couple of Generation 1 remolds thrown in for good measure.

Following on from the end of Transformers Cybertron, Hasbro introduced a line of Transformers to act as a filler to keep Transformers in the public eye until the toys for the Live Action Movie hit the shelves. The line itself delves right back into the earliest days of Transformers history, picking major characters from the original line and updating them with modern engineering and designs. Seemingly a hit with fans and kids alike, the line gave us our first new toys of Bumblebee and Astrotrain since the 80’s, as well as a Megatron that turned into a gun once more! Hasbro also filled out the line with new three packs of Minicons and repaints of the Legends of Cybertron, the latter bearing names and colour schemes inspired by Generation 1.

[ ] Transformers the Movie 20th Anniversary DVD Optimus Prime (slightly repainted reissue of the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime from 2004, included a base that spoke phrases from the movie (although the phrases were performed by a new voice actor and not lifted from the Movie soundtrack))

Following the end of Beast Machines in 2001, Hasbro needed a filler line until the next series which they were co-producing with Takara was ready for release. Enter – Car Robots. The Japanese toy line had been a flop in Japan, but there were enough new toys in it for Hasbro to bring over to maintain a market pressence for the Transformers brand until the next series was ready for launch. Fortunately, the line was a massive hit, and Hasbro found themselves utilising unused toys from past lines and repainting others to make up more waves of product to meet demand.

Transformers Generation 2 began in 1993 and ran through until 1995. It represented a major push on Hasbro’s part to reclaim some of the popularity that Transformers had enjoyed in their heyday in the 1980’s. The line began with repainted Generation 1 toys, but soon introduced many new designs, including colour-changing gimmicks and even light up engines and weapons. Toward the end of the line, though, the best gimmick of all was introduced – articulation. Finally, Transformers became poseable in their robot mode. A small number of toys came out in Japan, however, they were not very popular and later Japanese releases were very scarce. On the opposite side of the scale, Europe, Australia and Canada saw many toys that did not make it to the US.

Classic Rereleases

[ ] Inferno (Repainted and retooled from the original Generation 1 Inferno) [ ] Jazz (Repainted and retooled from the original Generation 1 Jazz) [ ] Optimus Prime (Repainted and retooled from the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime) [ ] Sideswipe (Repainted and retooled from the original Generation 1 Sideswipe)

[ ] Starscream (Repainted and retooled from the original Generation 1 Starscream) [ ] Ramjet (Repainted and retooled from the original Generation 1 Ramjet)

[ ] Dreadwing & Smokescreen (Known in some parts of the world as “Stealth Assault”)

Combat Heroes

[ ] Optimus Prime

[ ] Megatron

Aquaspeeders

[ ] Drench [ ] Gobots

[ ] Deluge [ ] Jetstorm

Axelerators

[ ] Rapido (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Axelerators”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.) [ ] Skram (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Axelerators”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.) [ ] Turbofire (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Axelerators”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.) [ ] Windbreaker (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Axelerators”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.)

Skyscorchers

[ ] Afterburner (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Skyscorchers”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.) [ ] Eagle Eye (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Skyscorchers”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.) [ ] Terradive (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Skyscorchers”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.) [ ] Windrazor (In Europe, was a part of a subgroup called “Skyscorchers”. In the US, he belonged to no subgroup.)

Laser Rod

[ ] Electro [ ] Optimus Prime [ ] Road Rocket [ ] Volt

[ ] Jolt (Known in some parts of the world as “Hot Rod”) [ ] Road Pig [ ] Sizzle (Known in some parts of the world as “Fireball”)

[ ] Bonecrusher (Repaint of Generation 1 Bonecrusher. Could combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator) [ ] Hook (Repaint of Generation 1 Hook. Could combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator) [ ] Longhaul (Repaint of Generation 1 Longhaul. Could combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator) [ ] Mixmaster (Repaint of Generation 1 Mixmaster. Could combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator) [ ] Scavenger (Repaint of Generation 1 Scavenger. Could combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator) [ ] Scrapper (Repaint of Generation 1 Scrapper. Could combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator)

In the final year of Generation 1, Europe, Canada and Australia saw a handful of all-new toys in the form of the Turbomasters and Predators, as well as more rereleases, including imports of four of the six toys from the Breastforce and all six Constructicons. The latter lacked their combiner parts, for reasons known only to Hasbro. Common theory is that Hasbro decided to exclude them, feeling that combiners would not sell as well as individual toys. Meanwhile in Japan Transformers went out in a last blaze of glory with Operation: Combination, which saw four all new toys and two rereleases of earlier ones. All were produced in low quantities and are regarded by collectors to be some of the rarest Transformers ever made.

[ ] “Leozak” (Unnamed repaint of Leozak, with different accessories.) [ ] “Killbison” (Unnamed repaint of Killbison, with different accessories.) [ ] “Jaguar” (Unnamed repaint of Jaguar, with different accessories.) [ ] “Drillhorn” (Unnamed repaint of Drillhorn, with different accessories.)

Constructicons

[ ] Bonecrusher (Yellow repaint that lacked Devastator combination parts. Not to be confused with the Generation 2 version.) [ ] Hook (Yellow repaint that lacked Devastator combination parts. Not to be confused with the Generation 2 version.) [ ] Long Haul (Yellow repaint that lacked Devastator combination parts. Not to be confused with the Generation 2 version.) [ ] Mixmaster (Yellow repaint that lacked Devastator combination parts. Not to be confused with the Generation 2 version.) [ ] Scavenger (Yellow repaint that lacked Devastator combination parts. Not to be confused with the Generation 2 version.) [ ] Scrapper (Yellow repaint that lacked Devastator combination parts. Not to be confused with the Generation 2 version.)

Japanese Exclusive Releases

Combiners

Sixbuilder

[ ] Crush-Bull (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixbuilder.) [ ] Digger (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixbuilder.) [ ] Gran Arm (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixbuilder.) [ ] Iron Lift (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixbuilder.) [ ] Mixing (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixbuilder.) [ ] Treader (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixbuilder.) [ ] Sixbuilder

Sixturbo

[ ] Circuit (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixturbo.) [ ] Discharge (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixturbo.) [ ] Glide (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixturbo.) [ ] Neo-Wheel (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixturbo.) [ ] Road Police (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixturbo.) [ ] Sireen (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixturbo.) [ ] Sixturbo

Sixwing

[ ] Chain Gun (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixwing.) [ ] Falcon (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixwing.) [ ] Flanker (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixwing.) [ ] Missile Run (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixwing.) [ ] Raker (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixwing.) [ ] Super Sonic (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixwing.) [ ] Sixwing

Sixtrain

[ ] Atlan (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixtrain.) [ ] Converter (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixtrain.) [ ] Desire (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixtrain.) [ ] Raise (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixtrain.) [ ] San Diego (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixtrain.) [ ] Windy (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixtrain.) [ ] Sixtrain (Partial repaint of Sixliner, with one all new mold!)

Guard City

[ ] Fire Chief (Repaint of Hot Spot. Formed body of Guard City. Only available as a set with the rest of Guard City) [ ] Fly Up (Repaint of Blades. Formed a limb of Guard City. Only available as a set with the rest of Guard City) [ ] Safety (Repaint of First Aid. Formed a limb of Guard City. Only available as a set with the rest of Guard City) [ ] Sparkride (Repaint of Groove. Formed a limb of Guard City. Only available as a set with the rest of Guard City) [ ] Streetstar (Repaint of Streetwise. Formed a limb of Guard City. Only available as a set with the rest of Guard City) [ ] Guard City (Repaint of Defensor)

Battle Gaia

[ ] Great Cannon (Repaint of Onslaught. Formed body of Battle Gaia. Only available in Japan as a set with the rest of Battle Gaia) [ ] Leland (Repaint of Swindle. Formed a limb of Battle Gaia. Only available in Japan as a set with the rest of Battle Gaia) [ ] Shuttle Gunner (Repaint of Blast Off. Formed a limb of Battle Gaia. Only available in Japan as a set with the rest of Battle Gaia) [ ] Sandstorm (Repaint of Brawl. Formed a limb of Battle Gaia. Only available as a set with the rest of Battle Gaia) [ ] Target Hawk (Repaint of Vortex. Formed a limb of Battle Gaia. Only available as a set with the rest of Battle Gaia) [ ] Battle Gaia (Repaint of Bruticus)

While they may have been dead in the US in 1991, in Europe, Canada and Australia Transformers were alive and kicking with more Action Masters, imported Japanese toys, and even rereleases of old Generation 1 toys in new packaging! In Japan, meanwhile, Takara increasingly sidelined Transformers in favour of their other brands, and hence even the Return of Convoy could not raise sales.

[ ] Alan (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixliner.) [ ] Deego (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixliner.) [ ] Joe (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixliner.) [ ] Leaf (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixliner.) [ ] Night (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixliner.) [ ] Spark (Sold as a set with the other parts of Sixliner.) [ ] Sixliner (Set of the six members of Sixliner)

In 1990, Hasbro upped their production of Micromasters, aiming to further capitalise on the popularity of “toys in your pocket”. They also made a bold move in releasing Action Masters – Transformers who did not transform, which defeats the object a little, right? Kids thought so, and so this would be the last year that Transformers were produced in the US until 1993. Meanwhile in Japan, Takara imported all the Micromasters, repainting the majority of the Decepticons as Autobots. They also produced some Micromaster City Transformers, known as the Powered Masters. However, Takara began to move their focus away from Transformers to other projects, and hence only a single episode would be made for the 1990 releases.

1989 saw the Transformers line become divided into two main sub groups – Pretenders stuck about, in various forms, while Hasbro also introduced Micromasters to cash in on the “toy in your pocket” trend that was popular at the time. Meanwhile Takara produced a completely different line in Japan to accompany their “Transformers Victory” series. Among the other toys produced were Brainmasters, as well as the extremely sought after Breastforce and Victory Saber.

Pretenders

[ ] Doubleheader [ ] Longtooth [ ] Pincher

[ ] Bludgeon [ ] Octopunch [ ] Stranglehold

Pretender Legends

[ ] Bumblebee (Also available without the Pretender shell.) [ ] Grimlock (Also available without the Pretender shell.) [ ] Jazz (Also available without the Pretender shell.)

[ ] Hot House (Hot House was a repaint of the Decepticon Air Strike Patrol’s Tailwind) [ ] Ironworks (Ironworks was a repaint of the Autobot Off Road Patrol’s Powertrain) [ ] Groundshaker (Groundshaker was a repaint of the Decepticon Air Strike Patrol’s Whisper. Was released in Japan in 1990 as “Landshaker”, with a repaint of the Race Car Patrol’s Road Handler) [ ] Countdown (In Japan, Countdown was sold as “Rocket Base”, and also included the Rescue Patrol)

[ ] Airwave (Airwave is a repaint of the Decepticon Air Strike Patrol’s Nightflight) [ ] Greasepit (Greasepit is a repaint of the Autobot Off Road Patrol’s Mudslinger) [ ] Skyhopper (Skyhopper was a repaint of Storm Cloud. Was released in 1990 in Japan in white, with a red repaint of the Race Car patrol’s Free Wheeler.) [ ] Skystalker (Released in Japan as “Thunder Arrow”)

Combiners

Pretender Monsters – Monstructor

[ ] Birdbrain (Formed the lower body of Monstructor. In Japan was known as “Rairyu” and came with a dinosaur themed Pretender shell) [ ] Bristleback (Formed the left arm of Monstructor. In Japan was known as “Gairyu” and came with a dinosaur themed Pretender shell) [ ] Icepick (Formed the left leg of Monstructor. In Japan was known as “Goryu” and came with a dinosaur themed Pretender shell) [ ] Slog (Formed the upper body of Monstructor. In Japan was known as “Kakuryu” and came with a dinosaur themed Pretender shell) [ ] Scowl (Formed the right leg of Monstructor. In Japan was known as “Doryu” and came with a dinosaur themed Pretender shell) [ ] Wildfly (Formed the right arm of Monstructor. In Japan was known as “Yokuryu” and came with a dinosaur themed Pretender shell)

In 1988 the line diversified further. Popular concepts from 1987 like Headmasters and Targetmasters stuck about, with other new ideas introduced. These included Pretenders (Transformers who fit inside an “outer shell” to “pretend” to be humans or monsters) and the Powermasters (Transformers with little partners who became engines that unlocked the larger Transformers’ transformation). The latter concept was not very popular, as it made it very hard to transform the Transformers with the gimmick if the engine was lost, which many children inevitably would have done. Meanwhile in Japan a new cartoon show began. Titled “Transformers: Choujin Masterforce”, it is arguably the best of all the early Transformers shows. Several Japan-only items were made to accompany this series, including Overlord, one of the most desirable Japan-only items of all time.

[ ] Nautilator (Formed a gun or limb of Piranacon) [ ] Overbite (Formed a gun or limb of Piranacon) [ ] Seawing (Formed a gun or limb of Piranacon) [ ] Skalor (Formed a gun or limb of Piranacon) [ ] Snaptrap (Formed the body of Piranacon) [ ] Tentakil (Formed a gun or limb of Piranacon) [ ] Piranacon (Collected five of the six Seacons. (Nautilator was not included))

Japanese Exclusive Releases

[ ] Godbomber (combines with Super Ginrai to form God Ginrai)

[ ] Browning

Godmasters

[ ] Super Ginrai (remold of Powermaster Optimus Prime, he featured different arms and diecast in his upper body) [ ] God Ginrai (Giftset release of Super Ginrai and Godbomber.)